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Recall Notices

There are many recalls on vehicles and if you have purchased a used vehicle and are wondering if it had a recall notice that was ignored…here is a good way to check. Using the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) simply go to the NHTSA website and key in your number. It will quickly tell you if the vehicle has an outstanding recall notice. You then need to contact the manufacturer and schedule the vehicle for an appointment to get it fixed.

Many people ask me how a recall goes into effect. The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act has given the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) the authority to require vehicles to meet safety standards. Since 1966 over 390 million cars, trucks and other vehicles including mopeds have been recalled. They don’t stop there. Tires and other equipment have also been recalled due to defects.

It is hoped that manufacturers would voluntarily recall vehicles when a defect has been discovered and many times they do…but if they don’t NHTSA influences them to do so…and has even taken them to court when necessary.

NHTSA is there to protect the rights of the consumer and when they receive the same complaint from several people about a particular vehicle or tire and it is a safety-related problem, they take action. If you ever feel your vehicle has a safety-related issue, here is the process NHTSA uses to get the ball rolling.

• You can call them at 888-327-4236 or 800-424-9393.
• They fill out a form based on information you have given them and file it in their consumer-complaint database (Vehicle Owner’s Questionnaire)
• They send the complaint to their technical staff to evaluate.
• They will mail a form to you for verification and request the right to provide your name, address and telephone number to the manufacturer along with the complaint.
We are fortunate to have an agency like NHTSA to protect us! Don’t hesitate to let them know if you have a vehicle safety issue. A corrected problem helps keep us all safe.

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